How to Dub From…

(all of these instructions assume that all relevant equipment has been turned on and that tapes have already been inserted into the appropriate decks.)


Computer to DV Tape

1. Select input A on the monitor.
2. Open the program Storm Video on the computer.
3. In Storm Video, select File>Open and select the DV file you wish to play.
4. Press the play button at the bottom of the Storm Video window. The video will play on the external monitor.
5. Press play and record at the same time on the DV deck.


Computer/DV Tape to S-VHS or Single VHS tape

Recording with the S-VHS deck provides better quality, even when you are just recording VHS. This is why I recommend using this deck when you are recording a single VHS tape.

The input on the S-VHS deck must be set to L-1. Change the input by using the Channel Up and Channel Down buttons on the remote. This should be set by default, but sometimes people change it.

1. Select input B on the monitor.
2. Either press play on the DV deck (when dubbing from DV tape) or follow "Computer to DV" steps 1-4 (when dubbing straight from the computer).
3. Press record on the S-VHS deck or remote.


Computer/DV Tape to VHS (multiple duplication)

This method allows you to record up to 3 VHS copies at once using the three black Sony VHS decks (VHS 1, 2, and 3). These decks are not hooked up to the monitor, so you cannot see the results as you record or play back tapes in the decks. Use the S-VHS deck to play back.

The input on the VHS decks must be set to L-1. Change the input by using the Channel Up and Channel Down buttons on the remote. This should be set by default, but sometimes people change it.

1. Select input A on the monitor.
2. Either press play on the DV deck (when dubbing from DV tape) or follow "Computer to DV" steps 1-4 (when dubbing straight from the computer).
3. Using only the VHS remote, press record. This remote can control all three VHS decks at once, allowing you to start them all recording at the same time. HOWEVER, be sure that the remote is pointing at all 3 of the decks, or else one of the decks may not receive the signal and thus not record.


VHS or S-VHS to Computer

1. Remove the Firewire cable from the back of the DV deck and insert it into the fronot of the Canopus ADVC100 converter (a small black box on top of the DVD player on the sterep cabinet).
2. Turn on the ADVC100 and press the Input Select button until the "Analog In" light is lit.
3. On the computer, open the program Storm Video.
4. Press play on the S-VHS deck.
5. In Storm Video, press the button at the bottom of the screen with the red R (this is the capture button). Capture does not immediately begin, as the program asks you to name and select a location for the resulting movie. Once you press the Save button, capture begins.
6. Press the stop button at the bottom of the Storm Video window when you are finished capturing. The movie file will be a DV avi using the Canopus codec.
7. When you are finished, plug the Firewire cable back into the DV deck.


VHS to VHS

The input on the VHS deck and the S-VHS deck must both be set to L-1. Change the input by using the Channel Up and Channel Down buttons on the remote. This should be set by default, but sometimes people change it.
1. Change the input of the DV deck to Line. To set the correct input, push the "Menu" button, use the "Shift" buttons to VIDEO and push "Select". Highlight VIDEO INPUT and push "Select" until LINE appears. Push "Set" to save the selection. The words DATA SET should appear on the screen. Press "Menu" to exit the menu.
2. Put the tape you are copying into VHS-1 (not 2 or 3!).
3. Put the blank tape into the S-VHS deck
4. Set the monitor input to B.
5. Push play on VHS-1 and then record on the S-VHS deck. If you see the image on the monitor, then it has been set up correctly.


PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL

If you wish to do either of these conversions, see me. Both of these require some rewiring and I don't like people messing around with the cables without my knowledge.
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